SEPTA implemented a fare increase on Monday "in an effort to begin to partially address the expected shortfall in the proposed budget," according to the SEPTA Web site.
The $2 base fare for use of intra-city transportation like the Market-Frankford El, Broad Street subway, subway-suface trolleys and buses won't be affected by the increase, nor will token prices, which will remain at $1.30 per token. Overall, fares will increase about 11 percent,
The effect will therefore be felt most by regional rail commuters and users of SEPTA weekly and monthly transpasses and trailpasses, which offer unlimited travel throughout the system for a flat fee.
Additionally, 60-cent transfers will no longer be valid after July 31.
The increase was passed over the veto of the Philadelphia members of the SEPTA managing board in an attempt to close an expected multi-million-dollar deficit for the year.
A more drastic plan known as "Plan B" due to be put in place in September will probably be averted, however, thanks to an unfolding budget agreement between Gov. Ed Rendell and the state legislature.
Under the terms of that agreement, SEPTA would receive about $150 million more in operating funds for the new fiscal year - enough to easily cover the projected shortfall - as part of a larger transportation funding package.
The details of that package have yet to be fully worked out between the state House of Representatives, Senate and governor.
- Anthony Campisi
